"Square-toe shoes are from the Devil": How a fashion-forward pastor is preaching style advice to the masses

'Square-toe shoes are from the Devil': How a fashion-forward pastor is preaching style advice to the masses

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UPDATED:

21:34 GMT, 22 May 2012

A pastor trying to keep God 'hip' has launched a fashion blog featuring trends and tips for men who he feels could use a little bit of guidance.

Ed Young, the pastor that oversees Fellowship Church in Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami, has taken his styling tips to the mainstream in an effort to keep God current by avoiding fashion-victim status.

Mr Young's advice ranges from how to find the right fit in a suit, to knowing whether or not skinny jeans are right for you, and believes square-toe shoes are 'from the Devil'.

How to: Mr Young uses do-it-yourself advice videos, offering useful fashion advice to men, such as how to rework a tie knot and how to roll up jeans

In a blog post titled From the Runway to the Pulpit, Mr Young writes: 'Pastors aren't typically known for their fashion… But why not!

He continues: 'Why can't the men and women of God set the standard for the rest of the world in fashion as well as faith'

Mr Young offers useful and spot-on fashion advice for men, such as how to choose the right collar for different face shapes, and the pros and cons between different tie knots.

Step by step: Taking viewers through easy styling tips, Mr Young shows exactly how to turn a Windsor knot into the 'more stylish' 4 in Hand made famous by JFK

Much better: The pastor shows how simply details, such as changing a tie knot, can update a man's outfit

The pastor equates doing both buttons up on a sports coat to a 'fashion sin,' and considers fit to be the most common fashion faux pas – urging his readers against buying clothing that is too big because of comfort.

On his blog, he writes: 'If you're too comfortable in a suit, it probably doesn't fit. Suits are not sweat suits.'

Pastor Fashion: Ed Young says he has loved fashion since he was two years old, and explains that he has the ultimate message for dressing up with the times

Fusing fashion and faith: Pastor Ed Young has taken the styling tips he has long given members of the clergy, such as choosing the right collar on a shirt, to the mainstream

He also believes, however, that if you don't have the right body type, you should stay away from 'skinny.'

FASHION TIPS FOR THE FAITHFUL It’s all about the FIT… Don't buy your suit too big. 'If you're too comfortable in a suit, it probably doesn't fit.' Suits are not sweat suitsNo belts with suits. 'It adds bulk. You’re not Batman…get rid of the utility Belt!'Peace…You should be able to fit two fingers under your shirt collar. 'If you can fit more, it's too big. If you have a long face a wear a spread collar-round face a straight collar.'T-shirts should be white or grey and not overly long. You are not a Hillsong Worship Leader.Crewneck T-shirt instead of V-neck. 'Classic is always Best.'Never, EVER wear graphic T-shirts.When dressing down, you can't go wrong with classic straight leg unwashed denim.Always flat front pants… Never EVER wear pleated chinos.'Never have more than one button of your shirt unbuttoned unless you are Bono!''Never wear square-toe shoes. Square toe shoes are from the Devil.'

Mr Young told ABC News: 'There's not a lot of people that look good in skinny jeans. You have to know your physique if you're a guy. If you have big bones you don't want to go with skinny jeans.'

In an age where billionaire businessmen like Mark Zuckerberg wear hoodies day-to-day, Mr Young also believes more men need to buy classic styles.

He said: 'I don't think we dress classy enough. We get tethered to the trendy as opposed to the classic clothes.'

Describing his blog as 'fusing fashion and faith,' the pastor also uses his own style acronyms.

He often uses the term HNL in his 'how to' videos, which stands for Whole 'Nother Level in relation to a person's style status.

The pastor, who says he has loved fashion since he was two years old, explained: 'We should be at the forefront of fashion. I think we have the ultimate message and should dress up with the times.'

He continued: 'God created color, God created design. He created things that look nice and we're simply doing what he wants us to do.

'Being a follower of Christ should be cool because God is cool, God is hip. We should live that out,' he added.